U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ Statement on the Death of Wilma Bradford

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement upon the passing of Wilma ‘Willie’ Bradford: 

“Willie left an indelible mark on the City of Bangor and the State of Maine. A leader who was committed to bettering her community, Willie worked to advance numerous civic institutions throughout her life. In addition to being a model of civic leadership, Willie was a trailblazer as the first woman to chair the United Way of Eastern Maine’s Board of Directors and become a member of the Eastern Maine Medical Center Board of Trustees.

“Willie and her beloved husband, ‘Pappy,’ were close friends of my family for many years. They had raised their children on Cedar Street, and I enjoyed seeing Willie when she returned to the neighborhood for the annual Christmas Coffee. Last fall, when my mother was visiting me, Willie came to my home for lunch and, as always, was the life of the party.”

“Willie will long be remembered for her dedication to the City of Bangor. Her passing is a loss to the countless individuals whose lives she touched through her tireless service to the community and through her boundless optimism.”